AN ADVENTUROUS off-licence owner is putting down the beer and picking up his bike to join the longest cycle race in the world.

David Genders is cycling from Cape Town to Cairo in the new year. He saddles up in South Africa on January 18, 2003 and is not expected to complete the 6,600 mile race in Egypt until sometime in May.

The 34-year-old, from Bramhall, makes no secret of his ambition to have the adventure of a lifetime while he travels through ten African countries - and beat the other 35 competitors to the finish line in the process.

"It's the ultimate challenge both physically and mentally and I'm ready for it," he said last week. "I've raced bikes for the best part of 19 years and I want to come first in this race."

Customers of The Bottle Stop, in Acre Lane, are supporting David by sponsoring him to do the 66 miles-a-day race.

"Everyone has been great," he said, adding that his father thought he was "mad" to take up the challenge.

He will be taking part in the race with a friend, Chris Evans, from Wilmslow, who has arranged a year out from being a police inspector for the adventure.

Chris, a former policeman in the Stockport area, said: "It's a big challenge. But quite different from fighting crime in Stockport.

"We've both been training very hard and we're battling against each other in the competition. We're both competitive so we'll have to see how it goes."

David added: "I couldn't have done it without Will Wright of Beardsley Cycles. He's been absolutely brilliant."

Despite his job, David is no drinker. But if he wins the race, he admits the champagne will be flowing.

David hopes to raise £1,000-2,000 for the NSPCC. Anyone who wants to sponsor him can do so by visiting The Bottle Stop, Acre Lane, Bramhall or call 0161 439 4904.